Co(i)struction - New classrooms for the Eagle Nest School

A Step Forward for Education in Karamoja: The Eagle Nest Project

In the heart of Karamoja, one of the most remote and disadvantaged regions of Uganda, lies the Eagle Nest Nursery and Primary School. For years, students here have faced extraordinary challenges: inadequate classrooms, lack of safe spaces, and the need to hold lessons outdoors, exposed to extreme weather conditions. It is within this context that the Costa Family Foundation, in collaboration with the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and our local partner ISP in Africa, decided to intervene through the “CO(I)STRUZIONE” project.

Between December 2023 and September 2024, with an investment of over €44,000, we undertook an ambitious and necessary mission: building new classrooms and renovating existing facilities to provide Eagle Nest students with a dignified, safe, and functional learning environment.

What We Achieved

Thanks to the contributions of all parties involved, the Eagle Nest School can now count on:

• A new school block with two fully furnished classrooms.
• The renovation of an existing block with three classrooms and an office.
• New school furniture, including 60 desks and two teacher’s tables, sourced from local artisans.

These interventions not only improved the physical spaces but also enhanced accessibility, adding ramps for students with disabilities and other structural upgrades. For the first time, all students can attend lessons in sheltered, secure, and comfortable environments, protected from the harsh weather conditions.

Every detail of the project was carefully managed: from selecting the construction company, Greentech Construction, to choosing the furniture, every element adhered to ministerial standards and agreed timelines.

Impact on the Community

The real value of this project lies in the faces of the students, teachers, and families who experience its impact daily. Eagle Nest School now serves:

• 480 students, across nursery and primary levels.
• 14 teachers and support staff, who benefit from an improved and more motivating work environment.

The improved facilities have already had an immediate impact: attendance rates rose following the project’s completion. In the third trimester of 2024, the school welcomed 480 students, up from 463 in the first trimester, demonstrating that a safe school environment can encourage participation and uphold the right to education.

Even the students themselves recognize the change. A survey conducted at the school revealed that 100% of participants considered the new classrooms safe and suitable. The average rating for improvement in the learning environment was 4.6 out of 5—an achievement that fills us with pride.

A Team Effort

Behind the success of this project is a collective effort involving the Costa Family Foundation, local authorities, parents, and the Karamoja community. The synergy with our partner ISP in Africa and the professionalism of Greentech Construction ensured that activities were completed on time, with high-quality standards and efficient use of resources.

Challenges were not absent: unpredictable weather and classroom overcrowding during renovations added complexities to the process. Nevertheless, we overcame them together, with determination and a collaborative spirit.

Looking to the Future

The “CO(I)STRUZIONE” project is not an endpoint but a step along a larger journey toward ensuring quality education and universal access to learning in Karamoja. The new structures have been officially handed over to the school and local authorities, who will maintain them. Our foundation will continue monitoring their use and supporting the community because we believe education is the key to a better future.

This project reminds us that even in the most challenging circumstances, we can make a difference. A special thanks goes to all our supporters, whose contributions make this change possible. Together, we can keep building a more equitable society, starting with the education of the youngest.